Who Is LegaSea – And Why We’re Proud to Support Them
Every year, as part of our annual Fishing Competition, we donate to LegaSea - a grassroots Kiwi organisation doing important mahi to protect our coastal fisheries and marine environment. But what exactly does LegaSea do, and why does their work matter so much? Here’s the rundown.
Photo Credit: Stephanie Kirk
Who Is LegaSea?
LegaSea is a not‑for‑profit launched in 2012 by the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council. Their purpose is to raise awareness about the pressures facing Aotearoa’s inshore fisheries and to rally Kiwis behind better, more sustainable management of our shared marine resources.
While they work closely with the Sport Fishing Council, LegaSea acts as the public‑facing outreach and fundraising arm - connecting everyday fishers, whānau, coastal communities and supporters with the research, advocacy and national policy work happening in the background.
Their Mission and Vision
LegaSea exists to help restore abundance in New Zealand’s coastal waters so today and tomorrow’s generations can enjoy healthy fisheries and a thriving marine environment. Their mission focuses on:
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Fair access to our fisheries - ensuring Kiwis can continue to enjoy meaningful access to shared fish stocks
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Rebuilding healthy oceans - reversing declines in fish numbers and overall ecosystem health
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Prioritising local food security - putting kai moana for New Zealanders ahead of export interests
Photo Credit: Jacob Macdonald
These guiding principles sit at the heart of LegaSea’s Fisheries Manifesto, which spells out the policy changes and long‑term reforms they believe are needed to turn things around.
Kai Ika Distributions
What LegaSea Does
LegaSea’s work is wide‑ranging and grounded in science, education and advocacy. Their efforts include:
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Advocacy: Funding professionals to take part in fisheries management processes, policy discussions and environmental decision‑making - making sure recreational fishers and everyday New Zealanders have a strong voice
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Research: Supporting scientific and economic studies to better understand fisheries health and inform smarter management
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Education: Running initiatives that help Kiwis understand the state of our marine environment and the steps we can take to rebuild fish stocks
Awareness & mobilisation: Leading campaigns, events, surveys and public engagement to spotlight issues affecting our seas
Their work produces real, practical outcomes - from submissions on government reviews to public surveys, educational resources, and involvement in local and national spatial planning processes.
Why Their Work Matters
Aotearoa’s marine environment is a taonga - culturally, environmentally and economically. But many of our coastal fisheries are under significant pressure from over‑fishing, habitat loss and outdated management practices.
LegaSea exists to challenge these pressures, call out what’s not working, and push for reforms that rebuild fish numbers, protect vulnerable habitats and ensure our fisheries remain healthy, abundant and accessible.
This isn’t just about having a good day out on the water. It’s about long‑term sustainability, protecting kai for future generations, and ensuring the health of the ocean we all depend on.
HutchWilco Boat Show
Why We Support LegaSea
We’re proud to donate to LegaSea each year through our annual fishing competition because we believe in the mahi they’re doing to restore abundance in our coastal waters. Their efforts benefit all Kiwis - from passionate fishers to families who simply love spending time by the sea.
Supporting LegaSea is one small but meaningful way we can help ensure our marine environment thrives for generations to come.
